Road-grader.



A.' K. SKOW.

' RGAD GBADER. ArrLIoATIpn rILBD oqT.14. 1909.

Patented Mar. 7, 1911.

A. K; SKOW.

.ROAD GRADER.

Arrmonlon Hmm 00114. 1909.

Ymamma Man?, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2,

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YA. K. sKoW.

v ROAD GRADER.

' APPLIOATION FILED 0OT.14, 1909. 986,421

f Patented Mar. 7, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SIRET 4.

UNiTEn sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

.ANDREW K. SKOW, 0F NEWTON, IOWA.

RoAD-Gn-ADEE.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW K. Snow, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Newton, Jasper county, Iowa, have invented a new and useful Road- Grader, of which the following is a speci' fication.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved construction for road graders.

A further object of this invention 1s to provide improved means for attaching draft mechanism and devices to a road grader.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved means for raising and lowering, tilting and laterally shifting the scraper blade of a road grader.

A further object of this invention 1s to provide improved means for adjusting the scraper blade of a road grader angularly relative to the path of advancement of the machine.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved means for adjusting the pitch of a scraper blade of a road grader relative to the surface over which it is operated.

A further object of this invention is to provide means for shifting the locations o-f supporting wheels relative to a scraper blade.

A further object of this invention is to provide' improved means for bracing. a scraper blade in desired adjustments of 1nclination.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved means for slidingly and adj ustably mounting a seat on a road grader.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of elements hereinafter set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the complete machine. Fig. 2 is a plan of the machine, one of the operators seats and a foot rest being removed. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the machine. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the indicated line 4 4 of Fig. 2, on an enlarged scale. Fig. 5 is an elevation, partly in section, on the indicated line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a cross-section on the indicated line 6 6 of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a cross-section on the indicated line 7 7 of Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section on the indicated line 8 8 of Fig. 2 and Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section on the indicated line 9 9 of Fig. 2.

In the construction of the machine as Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 14, 1909.

Patented Mar. *7, 1911.

Serial No. 523,105.

ranged with their flanges toward each other in the pairs and their webs on vertical lines. The side bars of the main frame are oifset approximately at their centers as indicated by t-he numeral 14 and the front and rear portions of said bars are in parallel horizontal planes. between end portions of the side bars 10, 11 and blocks 17, 18 are interposed between end portions of the side bars 12, 13. End bars 19, 20 and a cross-bar 21, each made of channel bar and preferably of the same weight as the side bars, are interposed between side bars 11, 12 and are secured thereto by angle plates 22. Bolts 23, 24, 25 extend through the side bars 10, 11, 12, 13 and the blocks 15, 16, 17, 18 longitudinally and within the channels of the end bars 19, 20 and the cross bar 21 and rigidly bind the main frame together. Angle bars 26, 27 are mounted between the side bars 11, 12 and connect central portions of the end bar 19 and cross bar 21. The angle bars 26, 27 are slightly spaced apart to form a slot 28 longitudinally and centrally of the rear portion of the machine. bars 11, 12 and angle bars 26, 27 and form a platform on the rear portion of the main frame. A seat bar 30 is provided with a foot resting on the upper surfacesof the angle bars 26, 27. A bolt 31 extends through the foot of the seat bar, and through the slot 28 and carries a washer on its lower end and a nut outside the washer.

By means of the nut, washer and bolt 31 the seat bar is slidingly and adjustably connected to the angle bars 26, 27 and may be moved manually into any desired position longitudinally of said bars. A seat 32 is carried by the upper end portion of the bar 30. Racks 33, 34, alike in construct-ion, are mounted between and fixed to rear end portions of the frame bars l0, 11, 12, 13 and occupy horizontal planes. The racks 33, 34 are spaced from adjacent faces of the side bars 10, 11, 12, 13 and side plates 35, 36 (in duplicate) are mounted loosely on opposite sides of said racks and in the spaces between the racks and side bars. Axle bearings 37, 38 (in duplicate) are formed on and project oppositely from lower end portions of the side plates 35, 36 and slidingly engage Blocks 15, 16 are interposed Planlrs 29 are mounted on the side the lower faces of the side bars 10, 11, 12, 13. Axles 39, 40 are mounted loosely in the axle bearings 37, 38. Supporting wheels 41, 42 are mounted for rotation on or with outer end portions of the axles 39, 40 and thehubs of said supporting wheels contact at their inner ends with end portions of the outer axle bearings. Dust shields 43 are mounted above the joint bet-ween the hubs and the outer axle bearings. The inner end portions of the axles 39, 40 extend to and are supported on a track bar 44 fixed to and depending from the end bar 19 and cross bar 21. The axles 39, 40 are of such length that they do not Contact with each other and may pass each other as hereinafter described on the track bar 44. Collars 45, 46 are fixed to the axles 39, 40 in Contact with the inner ends of inner axle bearings and, in conjunction with the hubs of the supporting wheels 41, 42, limit and determine longitudinal movement of the axles. Bosses 47, 48 (two on each plate) are formed on and extend inward from the side plates35, 36 and are spaced apart both laterally and longitudinally of the machine. Stub axles 50, 51 (Fig. 7) are mounted rigidly in the hubs 47, 48 and plates 35, 36 and extend within the channels of the side bars 10, 11, 12, 13. Friction rollers or track wheels 52, 53 are mounted on the stub axles 50, 51 within and ride on the bottom of the channels of the side bars 10, 11, 12, 13.

A pin 54 (in duplicate) is mounted through and connects the side plates 35, 36 immediately above the side bars of the frame and a pinion 55 (in duplicate) is journaled on said pin between said plates and meshes with one or the other of the racks 33, 34. A lever is provided for each pinion 55 and each lever is constructed as follows: Lever plates 56, 57, offset and spaced apart in their lower portions, are fulcrumed near their lower ends on the pin 54 and are arranged between the pinion 55 and the side plates 35, 36. A tube or barrel is formed between central portions 56a, 57a of the lever plates and the upper end portions of the lever plates are brought into Contact and embracing relations with and are bolted to a lever stem or handle 58. The spaced lower portions of the lever plates 56, 57 are slotted and a detent 59 is mounted for vertical reciprocation in the slots and extends across the lever, ainion and side plates. The detent 59 is formed with a stem 60 extending within the barrel of the lever' and impinged upon by a spring 61 within said barrel. Toothed segments 35, 36L are formed on the upper ends of the side plates 35, 36 and are adapted to be engaged normally simultaneously with the pinion 55 by the detent 59. The detent 59 is pressed in one direction'by the spring 61 and may be raised against said spring by a bell-crank 62 on the upper end of the lever stem 58 and a bifurcated wire 63 connecting said bellcrank to said detent.

A front truck or supporting and steering truck is provided and is constructed as follows: An axle 64 is mounted loosely in supporting wheels 65, 66 preferably smaller than the supporting wheels 41, 42 and a bolster 67 is carried by said axle. A tongue or pole 68 is connected by hounds 69 to the axle 64. The bolster 67 carries a fifth wheel 70 and a draft bar 71 is mounted at its center on and is carried by said fifth wheel, the pivotal bolt thereof being designated by the numeral 72. The draft bar 71 preferably is composed of connected channel bars having their flanges turned toward each other and an eye-block 73 is mounted rigidly in the forward end thereof and is adapted for attachment, by a chain or loose pole not shown to a lead team. A head block 74 is mounted on the central and rear portions of the draft bar 71 and the pivotal bolt 72 extends through the forward end thereof. A hammer strap 75 is pivoted to and extends forward from the pivotal bolt 72 and a coupling' bolt 76 is mounted in the forward end portion of said hammer strap and extends through the forward end of the draft bar 71 and through the rear end portion of the eye-block 73. By means of the coupling bolt 76 a swingletree not shown may be mounted on and connected to the draft bar 71. It would be observed that all draft or pulling force is applied to this machine by means of the draft bar 71 and that the pole or tongue 68 is employed solely to guide and direct the steering truck. A channel bar 77, having its iianges directed downwardly, is mounted beneath, extends across, connects the forward ends of the side bars 10, 11, 12, 13 and is connected to the end bar 20. The channel bar 77 also is connected to the head block 74.

A draw-head 78 (Fig. 9) is located at the rear end of the draft bar 71 and is provided with a stem 79 extending through a block 80 mounted in said draft bar and also is provided with a head 81 within said draft bar and normally engaging said block. rifhus is the draw-head 78 swiveled to the draft bar and shaft 82 is mounted loosely in and projecting laterally from the drawhead 78 and end bearings 83, 84 are mounted loosely on end portions of said shaft. There are holes through the end bearings 83, 84 but the outer portions of said holes are of less diameter than the shaft 82 while the inner portions of said holes fit to said shaft. Brace rods 85, 86 are pivotally connected to the end bearings 83, 84 at their rear ends and at their forward ends said brace rods are rigidly connected to the forward end portion of the draft bar 71. Thus a strong yet flexible connection is established between l the shaft 82 and the draft bar, by means of which great strain may be transmitted from the draft bar to the shaft and yet said shaft have a range of rotary movement on an axis extending lengthwise of the bar. Draft beams 87 88 are pivoted at their forward ends and also arranged for sliding movement on the shaft 82 between the end bearings 83, 84 and the draw-head 78. A ring 89 is arranged beneath the draft beams 87 88. and is secured thereto. The connection of the forward portion of the ring 89 to the central portions of the draft beams 87, 88 is by means of shackles 90, 91 and the rear end portio-ns of said beams are fulcrumed to the rear portion of said ring. The rlng 89 is formed with a sunken `integral iange 92 (dotted line Fig. 2) and a supporting and shifting ring 93 is mounted loosely on and is adapted for rotary sliding movementrelative to said iange. Goose-neck beams 94, 95 are fulcrumed at their forward ends to the forward portion of the shifting ring 93 and are further connected thereto at the rear of the vbolting connections by a shackle 96. The goose-neck beams extend downwardly, outwardly and rearwardly from the ring 93 and angle plates 97, 98 are pivotally connected to the extremities thereof and extend forwardly therefrom. A scraper blade 99 is located in front of and is rigidly fixed near its ends to the angle plates 97, 98 and extends across and projects at either end from the machine frame. The scraper blade 99 preferably is of a lengt-h greater than the gage of the truck and also is concavo-convex in cross-section and formed with a cutting edge on its lower margin. A stem 100 is fixed to and extends rearward from the central portion of the upper marginal portion of the scraper blade 99 and is formed with a plurality of bolt holes spaced throughout its length.

A forked bracket 101 is fixed by the extremities of its arms to and extends diametrically of the shifting ring 93 and the lower end of said bracket may be connected by a pin 102 to the stem 100. It is the function of the stem 100, bracket 101 and pin 102-to hold the scraper blade 99 at any desired pitch relative to the surface over which it is operated. A rack 103 is formed on'the rear portion (approximately two-fifths of the periphery) of the shifting ring 93. A boss 104 is formed on and extends rearwardly from the ring 89 and a shaft 105 is stepped centrally of said boss and rises above the horizontal plane of the machine frame. A pinion 100 (Fig. 8) is fixed to the shaft 105 and meshes with the rack 103 and said pinion and a portion of said rack are overlaid by a guard-plate 107 fixed to the boss 104. A hand-wheel 108 is mounted on the upper end of the shaft 105. -Eye-plates 109, 110 are mounted on and rise from central portions of the side bars 11, 12 of the main frame and the eyes thereof preferably are of key-hole shape with the narrower portions thereof extending downward. Chains 111, 112 (Fig. 5) are fixed at their inner ends respectively to the draft bars 88, 87 at points in line with the eye-plates 109, 110. The chains 111, 112 cross each other on oblique angles and extend through the eyes of the plates 109, 110 respectively. Outer end portions of the chains 111, 112 depend outside of the eye-plates 109, 110, and the bight of each chain is engaged within the narrower lower end portions of the eyes in said plates. Thus provision is made for bracing and staying the draft beams 87, 88, rings, goose-neck beams, and scraper blade relative to the frame bars of the machine. Brackets or standards 113, 114 (Fig. 5) are mounted on and rise from the frame bars 10, 11, 12, 13 opposite each other and in line across the axis of the ring 93. Bell-crank levers 115, 110 are fulcrumed in transverse slots in the standards 113, 114 and the long arms of said levers extend horizontally outward and pivotally support depending hanger bars 117, 118. Eyes are formed on the lower ends of the hanger bars 117, 118 and loosely embrace and support arms 119, 120, which arms are xed to and extend laterally from the ring 89. "Worms 121, 122 are mounted horizontally and journaled in the upper portions of the standards 113, 114 and mesh or engage with toothed segments 123, 124 formed on the extremities of the short arms of the bellcranks 115, 116. The worms 121, 122 extend transversely of the machine frame in alinement with and spaced from each other and hand-wheels 125, 126 are mounted on the inner ends thereof. A strap 127 connects forward end portions of the draft beams 87, 88. A bar 128 connects the frame bars 11, 12 in front of and above the strap 127. A block 129 is fixed to the central portion of the bar 128 and is formed with a toothed segment 130 on its upper margin. A hand lever 131 is fulcrumed on the block 129 and is provided with suitable detent devices 132 adapted to engage the toothed segment 130 normally. A link 133 pivotally connects the lower end portion of the hand lever 131 to the strap 127. By means of the hand lever 131, link 133, and strap 127 the forward end portions of the draft beams 87, 88 may be moved laterally along the shaft 82 to vary and adjust the degree of projection of the scraper blade99 on either side of and beyond the machine frame.

In practical use the machine above described is advanced over the surface to be graded by draft applied to the bar 71. The scraper blade 99 is adjusted as to pitch relative to the surface over which it is advanced by means of the stem 100, bracket 101 and pin 102. The scraper blade is adjusted in respect of angularity to the line of advance of the machine by manipulation of the hand-Wheel 108 and shaft 105 acting through t-he pinion 10G and rack 103 on the ring 93, said ring being free to move rotatively in the ring 89. Coincident With the adjustment of the scraper blade in respect of angularity to the path of advance of the machine the supporting Wheels 41, 42 are adjusted toward or away Vfrom said blade. This adjustment of either Wheel is effected by .manual oscillation of a lever' stem 58 after release of the detent 50 from the toothed segments 35a, 36a and through engagement of said detent With a pinion 55. In other Words either pinion 55 may be rotated by the hand lever provided therefor in either direction and in such rotation will engage with a rack adjacent to it and move the side plates 35, 36, axle bearings 37, 38 and the axle carried thereby and the supporting Wheel on such axle in the direction indicated by such rotation. When the scraper blade is adjusted to cross the line of advance of the machine on an oblique angle one of the supporting Wheels 41, 42 is adjusted forwardly into close relation Wit-h the foremost end portion of said blade, While the other supporting Wheel is adjusted rearwardly and yet into close relation with the rearmost end portion of said blade. Thus the axles of the supporting Wheels 41, 42 may be placed out of alinement With each other and so positioned as to distribute the Weight of the machine and dragging load of the scraper blade directly to said axles Without material twisting or Winding eff-ect on the frame of the machine and Without overloading' Aeither side of such frame. For this purpose independent means are provided for adjusting each supporting wheel 41, 4.2 longitudinally of the frame of the machine. Although one such means only has been described, yet both are illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing. The Scraper blade 99 is adjusted in respect of transverse inclination relative to the frame of the machine by manipulation of one or the other of the hand Wheels 125, 120, any rotation of the Wheels being communicated through a Worm, a toothed segment, a bellcrank, a hanger and an arm to the raising or lowering of one side or the other' o-f the ring 89 and a consequent tilting of said ring, the draft beams 87. 88, the shaft 82, t-he ring 93, the goose-neck beams 94, 95. the scraper blade 99 and other devices carried thereby. The brace and stay chains 111, 112 are adjusted in and relative to the eye-plates 109, 110 whenever' desired. A drivers seat 134 may be mounted in any desired location, preferably on the forward portion of the main frame.

I claim as my invent-ion- 1. A, road g'rader comprising a main frame, a steering truck carrying one end of said frame, grading devices carried by said frame, and supporting Wheels carrying the opposite end portion of said frame, said supporting Wheels adjustable independent of each other on right lines longitudinally of the main frame.

2. A road grader comprising a main frame, a steering truck supporting one end of said fra-me, grading devices carried by said frame, supporting Wheels carrying and slidingly connected to the rear portion of said frame, and lever-operated rack and pinion mechanism for adjusting said supporting Wheels on right lines longitudinally of the frame.

3. A road grader comprising a main frame, a steering truck supporting' one end of said frame, grading devices carried by said frame, supporting Wheels carrying and slidingly connected to the rear portion of said frame, and lever-operated rack and pinion mechanism for adjusting said supporting Wheels longitudinally of the frame independently of each other.

4. In a road grader, the combination of a main frame, supporting Wheels carrying the rear end portion of said frame and adjustable on right lines longitudinally thereof, a steering truck carrying the opposite end of said frame, draft beams carried by said frame, means for raising and lowering said draft beams, and grading devices carried by said draft beams.

5. In a road grader, the combination of a main frame, supporting Wheels carrying the rear end portion of said frame and adjustable on right lines longitudinally thereof, a steering' truck carrying the opposite end of said frame, draft beams hinged and swiveled to said frame, means-for raising and lowering and laterally shifting said draft beams, and grading devices carried by said draft beams.

6. In road grader, the combination of a frame, a steering truck supporting the forward end of said frame, Wheels supporting the rear end portion of said frame, said Wheels arranged for adjustment on right lines independently of each other longitudinally of and beneath said frame, draft beams., means for raising and lowering and tilting said draft beams, goose-neck beams mounted for oscillation on a vertical. axis on said draft beams, a scraper blade hinged to said goose-neck beams, and adjustable connections for determining the pitch of said scraper blade.

7. In a road grader, the combination of a frame, a steering truck supporting' the forward end of said frame, Wheels supporting t-he rear end portion of said frame, said Wheels arranged for adjustment on right lines independently of each other longitudinally of and beneath said frame, draft beams, means for raising and lowering and tilting and laterally shifting said draft beams, goose-neck beams mounted for oscillation on a vertical axis on said draft beams, a scraper blade hinged to said goose-neck beams, and adjustable connections for determining the pitch of said scraper blade.

8. In a road grader, a draft bar, a swivel block loosely mo-unted therein, a shaft loosely mounted in the swivel block, draftbeams pivoted and slidingly connected to said shaft, lever devices for shifting said draft beams lengthwise of the shaft, means for raising and lowering and tilting said draft beams, and grading devices mounted for rotary adjustment on said'draft beams.

9. In a road grader, a draft bar, a swivel block loosely mounted therein, a shaft loosely mounted in the swivel block, end bearings on said shaftand braces flexibly connecting said end bearings to the draft bar, draft beams pivoted and slidingly oonneoted to said shaft, lever devices for shifting said draft beams lengthwise of the shaft,

Vmeans for raising and lowering and tilting said draft beams, and grading devices mounted for rotary adjustment on said draft beams.

l0. In a road grader, a main frame having side bars spaced apart, a rack between said side bars and spaced therefrom, side plates between said rack and side bars, axle bearings on said side plates beneath the side bars, an axle in said bearings, a supporting wheel on said axle, friction devices between said side plates and side bars, a pinion journaled in said side plates and meshing with said rack, a lever fulcrumed onthe side plates, and a detent on said lever adapted to `engage said pinion at times, adapted to engage said side plates at times and adapted to be released from the pinion and side plates at times.

Signed by me at Newton, Iowa, this eighteenth day of September, 1909.

ANDREW K. SKOIV. IVitnesses:

C. L. WooDRoW, M. H. VVooDRow.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, '.D. C. 

